Couldn't even last 10 seconds, I freaked out. *content warning regarding MRI scans* title edited by MNHQ

[MammaKel]

Hi All,

I had an MRI scan today and I've never had one before but didn't consider myself claustrophobic so thought I'd be okay..

Led down on the bed, fine, put headphones on, fine, put cage thing over my head, fine ... got put into the MRI machine, made the mistake of opening my eyes and it was not fine I was shouting to be let out, crying, squeezing the thing they give you over and over and just I don't know what happened, complete and utter terror took over.

They let me out, weren't particularly nice about it but I just put my shoes on and left crying.

I feel like a utter idiot now, whilst still crying but I genuinely couldn't do it, panic and fear just took over.

It was needed for my head but does anyone know what happens now? Do I just hope I don't have anything wrong with me or will I eventually have to do it?

Your experience is not unusual. honestly. The staff will have seen it all before. I had one but was unconscious at the time (and it was OK). t don't think I could tolerate one if I was awake. A CT scan might do quite well in your case.

Please don't be embarrassed, you couldn't help it and are not alone.

Don’t worry @MammaKel If your doctor has requested an MRI then they will look to reschedule with either sedation or GA if it absolutely has to be done and you cannot tolerate it. There are also apps with exercises to help you get used to what you’ll experience and how to cope with it. There are certain noises and you can hear them and get used to them etc before your next scan.

If they can play music through the headphones they give you (many places offer this but not all) it really helps. Last time I had an MRI they gave a choice of playlists! That and breathing exercises helped a lot.

If it makes you feel better I don’t think you’re alone in doing this. My mum did the same, she was must’ve been part way into going into the machine and she kept out of it as she was too scared to go in.

It sounds like the staff she had were nicer though as they reassured her to give It another go.

Haha from the title I was gonna accuse her of sleeping with my dh! Anyway as a severe claustrophobic myself, op has my sympathies.

Try not to be too hard on yourself. Hospital staff were probably unfriendly because of how often it happens so it’s just another “meh” exercise for them - a bit like how seasoned police can turn up to somewhere with a body on the floor and not bat an eyelid if you see what I mean.

I went to the Macy’s thanksgiving parade in NYC one year and suddenly became extremely overwhelmed in the crowd, convinced myself I was going to die and burst into tears and started trying to frantically escape. Nothing had actually happened but I just became stricken with panic and no one could talk me out of it. You can’t help these things unfortunately - our brains just work against us sometimes!

I’ve had 3 head ones. First two were fine but last time I hated it. Shut my eyes the whole time and couldn’t wait to get out.

DD had one when she was about 9/10. I told them beforehand that she wouldn't be able to stay still as she has ASD and sensory issues but the doctor insisted she would be ok. It was on her head so she had to go in totally.

Sure enough she panicked even though I was there and in the end they had to knock her out completely to do another one.

I hate having an MRI but the last time I had one (on my shoulder, so went in head first) they’d rigged up an angled mirror that when you looked at is showed you the room you were in. Complete game changer as the panicky trapped feeling went away completely. I did say that whoever thought that up deserved a medal, clearly it didn’t help with the awful noise but being able to see ‘outside’ made all the difference!

Completely sympathise. I had a far lower insurance pay out as couldn't face the claustrophobia of the machine!

I had one on my head and back. It was horrific. I thought I was never going to get out of it. The only thing that kept me there was that I knew I'd have to have it done again.

@MammaKel I feel your pain, totally!! If they have ones that aren't enclosed, then why don't they use them as standard?!

I completely freaked out last year in a CT scan ended up yelling,it took all my willpower to stay in it..4 years ago I had one very quick and was fine,head. I am extremely claustrophobic. Last year it was full body, the IV tissued, the radiographers came out and we're fiddling with it. Saying if they couldn't get it started I would have to go back to the Dr, have the venflon re sighted and start again.

They gave my mum diazepam and she was away with the fairies. She even sang, and she usually hates them.

I can’t manage them at all. Back in the day I actually had to have one under a general anaesthetic!
I was referred here to trial an ‘open’
scanner. A bit of travelling involved but it was well worth it.
The lady in before me had come from Birmingham.
We had to fill out a little survey about why we were there and our previous experiences.
She had been working in a butcher’s when some thieves came in and stuck her in the meat freezer store at the back. So I felt like an amateur as there was no way I could match that!
I would describe it as bit like being on a sunbed without the heat. And it’s designed so you can see out. Also
could use a buzzer myself to get out. Which really helps.
The fact that these scanners have been designed means you are alone. I have learned that you really have to fight your corner though to get what you need.
https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/departments-and-services/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri/416790

Oh it's the worst. I had to get out, they proceeded to tell me how much I had cost them. I had an ultrasound instead. There was no need for them to have out me in headfirst when they were scanning my reproductive organs.

Benzos are the only way. No one should have to think they will be "brave" if they know they will struggle. This is 2024 and you can get xanax or equivalent ( decent dose please!) for tests like this. There are probably more people terrified and panicked by MRI than aren't. It is an awful experience but has to be done.

Reader, I got the xanax - 5mg I think, and while I was still a bit freaky, I managed to get through it without damaging an expensive piece of NHS kit by kicking down the dome that trapped me.

Just ask for sedation or an open MRI scanner. Or as @Boobygravy says a one off low Valium dose.

As PP’s have said, I’m not claustrophobic but the noise got to me a bit and the length of time. I kept wondering how/why it took so long. Had one earlier this year and got to have one again soon. The only thing I don’t like is this time I have to be there early (9.15!).

"They let me out, weren't particularly nice about it but I just put my shoes on and left crying"

How unprofessional of these staff! I understand you 100% and I am no health worker. I once had an MRI brain scan and the experience was so awful I said to myself that I would never have one again, no matter how ill I felt. So I completely get you.

Don't let this get to you. Put it out of your mind, then return to it after a bit of time. Have a nice cup of tea, do something nice to take your mind off things.

I am quite claustrophobic OP, and feared reacting like you did. I was in ages, because they couldn't get the images they needed. I was shocked at how tiny the space was. I just had to disappear inside my head but listen to the breathing instructions at the same time. The clanging doesn't help. I'd lived with episodes of agonising pain for so long, I was basically afraid not to complete it. I hope you're OK next time OP -explore sedation.

I'm not claustrophobic at all but having had a head MRI I completely get why they could make.someone claustrophobic. I kept my eyes shut as it was a bit panic inducing. I was ok but can tell care why they could give someone a panic attack!

I had a foot one recently and they only put me in as far as my waist. I was in agony afterwards though as it was a foot and ankle one. They did ankle first and then straight on to foot. If I ever had to do that again I would ask to be released in the middle to stretch my joints.

I had another for my lower back and I went in head first for that one. I started to open my eyes and shut them again really quickly when I realised how confined it was. However, once I was fully in they put a mirror above my head that pointed out to the room so all I could see was the ceiling and top of the walls in the back of the room.

I would definitely be asking what they can do so it doesn't feel so confined. They told me to keep my eyes closed until I was fully in and they had put the mirror in. I should have listened as even the second or two of seeing how confined it was stressed me out no end.

Sorry MNHQ.

My post was deleted because I mentioned an abbreviation for anxiolitic drugs which I was given to enable me - on the third attempt to get an MRI. I'm sure you all know the usual ones. It's the only way for many and the medical profession should be OK with prescribing for a one off event like MRI since if they can complete the test it saves them so much time and expense, and helps the patient too.

EDIT, thanks MNHQ, I see you have reinstated the post. I meant no harm anyway.

I did the same thing of making the mistake of opening my eyes. I’m sorry they weren’t nice to you, it must happen all the time - it really is like being in a coffin! You should be able to see out either the top or bottom if you move your head which will make you feel safer, but you can’t move during the scan so the trick is to absolutely not open your eyes. I would suggest hypnotherapy either in person or through an app and then try again. Sometimes they will let you play your own music (usually on a CD) so I would take in a hypnotherapy recording and listen to that. I’m not “woo” at all but hypnotherapy is great for phobias, bad experiences and relaxation

I had an MRI this week. I’ve had them before but only lower body. This was for my head, I have cancer. I’m not a nervous person at all. I’m not generally claustrophobic. Honestly, it was terrifying. I went in all billy big balls and didn’t close my eyes and lasted 20 seconds and they had to bring me back out and completely unstrap me so I could get off the table.

I’m also a hypnotherapist though and second try, what I did was basically close my eyes before I went in and I took myself through a guided relaxation and basically put myself into a hypnotic state. It was fine, as long as I kept myself in that state and kept my eyes closed. No way I could have done it otherwise.

I’d recommend hypnotherapy if it’s something you’re going to need to do again/regularly like me. I’ve truly never been so grateful for the skill set I have. You would be able to have someone make you a relaxation track to listen to if they’ll let you listen to something. Mine said you could listen to the radio or a CD (😂) if you wanted.

I had to have one of my brain when I was 38weeks pregnant. Just lying on my back was agony on my hips and I only managed half the scan before they had to get me out because I was freaking out.

All my family and friends know even if I appear to be in a coma never to let them do a head mri without giving me Valium or something.